Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-11

| ing. hcIc are many things ID I'M
world, my dear boy"
Irointcd toward the door
ooh, Deja?"
"Yos, Deja."
He was handsome fellow, the only
handsome blonde man ever saw. II,
looked at me with his blue eyes au(
pulled his blonde moustache leisurely
but did not Immediately reply.
What's the matter with Deja 2
he said finally.
Natter" l replied. "Mattel
enough You brought her here to keeT
Der from taking her life. That was all
right. You detained her until You
were sure she would not rush back 10
the Seine. You gave her money to
buy decent clothing. don't find fault
with that, but"
He looked at me quietly, continuing
to pull his moustache. -
"Well, old boy That is very good
list Of the things you do not object to
about myself and Ia petite. Now, be
explicit. What do You find fault
with ?"
"Shc must be sent away" I said,
firmly.
"Why?"
"Eo you realize how old she is 2"
"Ihat is something no one knows, "
lie responded. "The Gascons are too
poor TO afford to give their children
birthdays"
"I'll wager she's not less than six
teen" said.
II wouldn't wonder a Bit" he re-
sponded.
did not seem to be making much
progress.
"But you have told me that you are
engaged to Il young lady in England, "
blurted out in desperation.
Undoubtedly" he admitted, open
ing his blue eyes very wide. "Now
please TO tell me what the deuce your
last statement has to do with the sub
ject through which you introduced it. "
81 will, | said taking up the gaunt-
Let. You are either in love with this
Gascon girl or so near it that you will
soon be unable TO tear yourself from
her
"Nonsense!" CALCULATED Trenholm,
coolly.
"Or, at least, l continued, "shc is
in love with you, and if You do not
break off with her at once there will be
a nice rumpus in store for you later. -
Nonsense. again"
every well, said, turning away.
"Doas you please, but don't forget I've
warned you"
Trenholm arose and put both his
hands on ny shoulders il the affection
ate, almost giIlish way he had.
Fellows are always quarrelling
about vomcn," he said, earnestly,
and much good it does them. You and
/ shau't fail out over that piece of
lomininity yonder I'll send her off
.ust TO please You, mind Where to
send hor TO Is the question, though, he
added in "a puzzled undcrtonc.
We let the subject drop for the time,
Int Deia stayed just the same. re
.olvod not TO alludc to the mattcragain
unless something unusual should de
yclop. Trenholm Was SO set in his way,
and It seemed foolish to risk breaking
.uch friendship "a ours over a thing
Ike fiat.
Month after month went by, until
another winter came round again, aud
enc night, as | sat reading, after 1 sup
posed everybody else in the house Was
asleep, ] heard "A slight tap ut Icy door.
opened it, and Dcja stood there.
he whispered softly, is Monsieur
Charles here - and on my replying IN
the negative she stepped noiselessly
over the thrcshold. She wore q Grim
'on silk morning gown trimmed with
lace. Jcr lair htd hot-housc roses in
il, worth four francs apiece. I noticed
also for tie fiIst time a small solitaire
diamond on her finger She sat down,
with q seeming embarrassment, which
J attributed 10 The fact that it was tie
first time she had ever been alone with
me.
You look gay tonight, Nademoi-
eclle Dcjs,' / said TO break the silence.
"Ob, DO You think so ?" she cried,
with a flashing of happy light in her
eyes. "Tell me, Monsieur Tell me
the truth Am l very ugly?"
~ Lat n question | exclaimed,
smused in spite Of myself at her
eaInestncss. "You are certainly any
thing but ill-looking"
ooh, thank youl" she cried in ex-
trayagant Joy. "You are so good,
Monsieur, to say that If | thought
my face was ugly l should not wish to
i've"
She went and stood before a long
minor, and turned her head to the
right and TO the left, looking at the re-
Election from all possible points OF
view. The full, rich color which came
into her checks made her grow radl-
ant
lyon did not call upon me this hour
to ask that question. Mademoiselle,' |
said, bccomlug afraid that she would
never tire Of examining her features.
NO." she replied, turning suddenly
about and coming close to me. Il
came to ask you-if-if-'
"Nell?'
Monsieur lie Medicin, b" she broke
ont. with nervous fingers ciutchiug at
her dress, "what does Monsieur
Cbarles-ssy-about me , "
Here was pickle.
Does he-also, she pursued slow
", "tbiuk | am--not-ugly? lie is
Your friend. What does he say-to
you =
The color in her cheeks was like a
flame, but it WIS called by anxiety and
excitement only. She did not know
how to blush-this Gascon girl-at the
thought of prying into a mans most
secret through the agency
Of bis trusted friend.
"Who gave you that new RAG - |
asked, for want Of better way TO an
sweT.
This ing !" she cried, clasping the
other hand oyerit. Her eyes flashed an
Ger as she repeated the harmless words.
This ring What do you mean,
Monsieur Do you think / would let
another man give me a ring
but why did he give it to you
"Ah !" She exclaimed, Modified in
stantly. THAT is the very thing,
Monsieur lie Medicin. That is what |
wish so much TO know. What does an
English gentleman mean when he gives
a girl a ring ike that ? In the South
it would mean very much-eyery-
does it mean so much IN his
country?"
"Row did he happen to purchase
II ." / asked. still eyadiuC direct